It landed at the bottom with a heavy thud.

Martinez stood ten feet away behind the arrivals barrier.

He had on a faded brown flannel jacket and held a paper cup of black coffee.

He didn’t wave or smile.

He gave one nod when our eyes met.

“Your flight came in on time,” Martinez said.

“We actually landed ten minutes early,” I said.

I grabbed the canvas strap and heaved the bag onto my shoulder.